About

Literacy Ontario Central South

LOCS is one of 16 regional literacy networks in Ontario that supports and promotes the work of adult literacy agencies. The LOCS Region includes City of Kawartha Lakes, Haliburton, Northumberland, Peterborough and Hastings Counties.

Vision Statement

To ensure all adult learners have access to essential literacy and basic skill training needed to prosper and lead a fulfilling life.

Mission Statement

To support the provision of quality adult literacy services that are innovative, collaborative and responsive to identified needs in Haliburton, Northumberland, Peterborough and Hastings counties & the City of Kawartha Lakes.

Core Values

Leadership: LOCS strives to be a champion for adult literacy in our region, providing quality, trusted service and support to Ontario’s Employment and Training Network as well as expanded community partners in all five LOCS counties. LOCS believes in candid dialogue, informed decision making, courageous leadership and continuous improvement. We support, promote and strengthen adult literacy services through communication, research and public education.

Client Orientation: We place the needs of adult literacy learners first in all we do. We believe that all adult learners should have access to relevant opportunities to enhance their lives through lifelong learning

Teamwork: We listen to and collaborate with our literacy partners, ensuring that any service they offer is relevant to a community’s needs and expectations. We believe teamwork leverages our individual strengths.

Staff

Michael Andrews – Executive Director
Michael has over 20 years’ experience in relationship management, communications, and business, organizational, and policy development in both the private and non-profit sectors (including mining engineering, multi-disciplinary business consultancy, mobile telecom, and community economic development). Since 2014, he has actively participated at LOCS’ Literacy Service Planning tables and, in the process, has come to both appreciate and admire the literacy professionals who endeavor to improve the lives of others in our communities.

An avid supporter of continuing education and lifelong learning, Michael completed his degree (started at the Ryerson School of Journalism in 1993) at Trent University in 2013. Michael also earned a journalism diploma from Durham College (1993). He currently volunteers as a literacy tutor and as a director on boards for a number of community agencies.

Board of Directors

Bernie Marshall – Peterborough (Chair)
Bernie was a public servant for over 37 years. He began his career in Canada Pension and Old Age Security and later worked in Employment Insurance. In 1999, he transferred into the delivery of federal employment programs. In this capacity he managed the National Homelessness Initiative and Work-Sharing programs as well as contributing to the Job Creation Partnership, Skills Development, Employment Assistance Services, and Targeted Wage Subsidy programs. In 2007, his job was transferred to the province. Working for Employment Ontario, he established and managed the Targeted Initiative for Older Workers program in the Peterborough office. He also worked in other EO programs such as Second Career, Job Creation Partnership, and Adjustment Advisory. During his time with EO, he managed several Literacy and Basic Skills agreements and developed a special interest in LBS programming. Bernie has been on the LOCS board for over two years and chair for more than a year.

Wendy McKee – City of Kawartha Lakes (Vice Chair)
Wendy has been a member of the Board of Directors for Literacy Ontario Central South for over 5 years. This role with LOCS has been fulfilling for her having worked in the field of vocational services with Northern Lights Canada and the City of Kawartha Lakes Social Services for a very long time! As an advocate for people who are disadvantaged, Wendy has worked closely with other organizations such as John Howard Society and Trillium Lakelands School Board and Sir Sandford Fleming College. Wendy’s volunteer and other interests have included Girl Guides of Canada, restoring a Victorian home, and gardening heritage plants and flowers. Wendy resides in the City of Kawartha Lakes with her spouse and two children.

Bob Gleeson – Peterborough (Treasurer)
Bob has 45 years of experience in education as an Elementary and High School Teacher, Family Life Consultant, Principal, as well as teaching at Trent’s School of Education. Literacy has always been a high priority for Bob. His schools were structured so that literacy initiatives were highlighted and students met with success. For those students who struggled, the best teachers were and given all the support they required. Now with LOCS, Bob hopes to have an influence on literacy in the larger community.

Stacey McQuoid – Hastings (Secretary)
Stacey has worked in the adult literacy field since 1996 as a volunteer tutor, instructor, board member, and a program administrator. Since 2011, she has been the Program Coordinator for the Trenton site of Community Learning Alternatives (CLA), a community-based adult education provider in Hastings County. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree (major in psychology and sociology) from Queen’s University and literacy, in particular health literacy, has always been an area of interest. Throughout her tenure at CLA, Stacey facilitated a health exploration preparation program for young adult learners and actively engaged others in Health Care Studies essential skills curriculum. In recent years, Stacey has promoted CLA’s role in the community and the impact of literacy on the health and well-being of adults. Before becoming a member of the Board of Directors for LOCS in 2015, Stacey was a member of the Literacy Link Eastern Ontario (LLEO) Board for a number of years. Stacey is a resident of Northumberland County and calls the multi-generational family farm home.

Doug Noyes – Gananoque

Angela Quinn – Northumberland
Angie has worked in the adult continuing education field for over fifteen years as an instructor and coordinator. Since 2011, she has been the LBS Program Coordinator for the Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board in Cobourg. She has also facilitated many digital technology courses for Loyalist College. As a curriculum writer and editor, Angie helped in the development of the Ontario Adult Literacy Curriculum Framework. In recent years, she has created an online curriculum to train new LBS practitioners that was funded by CESBA. She is passionate about digital technologies and has worked on various digital projects over the years with CESBA, LOCS and various community organizations. Angie believes people need to master digital skills to thrive in the new knowledge economy and participate in a digitally inclusive community.